Numbers 26:1,2 – “And it came to pass, after the plague, that the Lord spoke to Moses and Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying: ‘Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and above, by their fathers’ houses, all who are able to go to war in Israel.'”
It is interesting to me that the count was only for those who are able to go to war. When it really matters, and the enemy is breathing down your neck, and the threat of loss is a real possibility, you have to know who you can count on.
I’m afraid that modern day Christianity has produced many consumers and few warriors. The question must be asked among us today, “Are you able to go to war?” The body of Christ needs you. The enemy will keep you so wrapped up in so many things that you are incapable of fighting in the battle. 2 Timothy 2:4 says, “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” It is imperative that a summons and a wake up call goes throughout the church for everyone to be at arms.
For the church to be effective the following must occur:
1. We must be alert. Slumber will catch us off guard. A casual attitude must be put away from us. We must live our lives fully awake and aware of what is happening in our world and the times we are living in.
2. We must be prayerful. This will not only empower us but keep us spiritually sensitive to the marching orders of our Commander-in-Chief. Prayer will keep us a step ahead. Prayer will bring us the clarity we need. And prayer will keep our hearts soft and protected from the hardness of battle.
3. We must be prepared. The church must live with a readiness at all times. We will not suffer defeat when we are prepared.
4. We must be equipped. Full of power, full of the word of God, full of the Holy Spirit…these are essentials to living the equipped life.
I pray your answer to today’s devotional question is a resounding, “YES!”